Fuji Kiseki's POV
Alright, let's hit training hard today!
Air Groove: "Fuji, you're early again."
Fuji: "You're pretty pumped too, Air Groove. Feeling the Osaka Hai coming up?"
Air Groove: "Yeah, it's just days away. Naturally, I'm aiming for a repeat win."
Fuji: "Haha, another win? Your fanbase might explode!"
Air Groove: "But if I win Osaka Hai, I'll mention Hachiman's fan letters in the interview. Letting people know we see that stuff might cut down on the hate. If it doesn't stop, I hate to say it, but I'd push for banning all fan letters."
Fuji: "Oof… That'd hurt the genuine fans too. The anonymous haters wouldn't care, but it'd suck for those cheering us on. If it happens, the haters might get backlash instead… We'd be fine, though."
Fan letters are a big motivator for some Uma Musume, so losing them would sting. But this isn't just about Hachiman Trainer-san—tons of trainers and pony-chans might be dealing with this crap too.
Fuji: "It's a real mess, huh?"
Air Groove: "Yeah, thanks to Takanotsume and Man o' War, it's gotten better, but not fixed. They're back in America now."
Fuji: "Yup, we've gotta support Hachiman Trainer-san ourselves. That's why I can't lose the Satsuki Sho!"
Air Groove: "Same. I'm winning, no question."
Click
Hachiman: "Sorry, I'm late."
Fuji: "Hey, Hachiman Trainer-san… Oh, you're Wing Arrow, right?"
Arrow: "Hello, Dorm Leader, Air Groove-san."
Hachiman: "Today, we'll train while I check out Wing Arrow's moves. You two, stick to the usual plan I gave you. Air Groove, go light since your race is soon. Fuji, yours isn't too tough today either."
Air Groove: "Got it."
Fuji: "Understood."
Hachiman: "We'll start with a group warm-up, then split into individual menus. Arrow, I'll watch you on dirt. CB recommended you, so I've got high hopes."
Arrow: "…Maybe don't hype me up too much?"
Hachiman: "Really? Your build and muscles look pretty impressive to me."
Arrow: "…I'll try to live up to it, but don't expect too much."
That's such an Arrow response.
Minutes Later
Hachiman: "Alright, time for individual menus. I'll focus on Wing Arrow today, so I won't watch you two as closely. You okay with that?"
Air Groove: "No problem. Do what you need to. We're fine. Let me know if you notice anything."
Fuji: "Air Groove's right. We trust you, Hachiman Trainer-san. Focus on Arrow—it'll be easier that way, right?"
Hachiman: "Thanks, sorry about that. Let's do this."
Arrow: "Yes."
Hachiman Trainer-san's focusing on Arrow's run, so I've gotta be careful during training. An injury right before the race would be a disaster.
Air Groove: "He found someone fast. Surprising, especially since it's an Uma Musume he's never interacted with."
Fuji: "Yeah. How'd they even connect? I didn't think Hachiman Trainer-san had any ties with Arrow. I figured his only dirt contacts were Smart Falcon and Agnes Digital."
Air Groove: "Hachiman's not the type to reach out himself. Someone probably put him up to it."
Fuji: "Haha… Probably."
Air Groove: "What's with that reaction?"
Fuji: "Oh, just your 'put him up to it' comment. Sounded like some sneaky plot, like Hachiman Trainer-san and someone are scheming villains."
Air Groove: "Wha—!? No way!! I didn't mean it like that!! Just a poor choice of words!!"
Fuji: "I know, I know, don't get mad. You get so intense about Hachiman Trainer-san~."
Air Groove: "I'm intense because it's for Hachiman!! And you're just as intense, aren't you!?"
Fuji: "Hahaha! Fair point! Alright, let's get to training!"
Phew, Air Groove's bold, saying stuff like that so openly♪ She's not wrong, though. It's exactly how I feel too.
Fuji: "Time to give it my all for Hachiman Trainer-san!"
Afterword
Wing Arrow's training kicks off, and Air Groove and Fuji drop bold declarations for Hachiman—good thing he didn't hear! This Yahari x Uma Musume chapter balances Osaka Hai and Satsuki Sho prep with team loyalty. Hachiman's squad grows as Fuji's arc races forward!
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